Not sure if the K-3 or K-1 would be good for us I have a past. About 14 months ago I had a problem with my son and his friend I tryed to handle it peacefully but it went wrong. His friend that was 19 at the time became very vocal and rude. I asked him to leave and all I got in return was F U MOTHER FER! I went after him to place him in his car for him with force and my son joined the fun. I did not hit my son but he got scatched and brused he was 1 month from being 18. The other boy I did hit in the process and regret it now. The mother of this boy called CPS and now I have a history. I never before abused my exwife or my two sons nothing before this. Normally I am an easy going person but with the stress of the on going divorce and the boy's mouth I lost it. Now I wish I had just called the police and had them remove him but at the time this did not cross my mind. Now I have a record "nice". I think this will be a flag for the K type visas or maybe all visas. I hope others here will not think badly of me for this. I have told my SO about this and she was not happy about it but, was understanding. Things are cool between my son and I and he is no longer friends with the other boy now. He really turned out to be an ###. Still I wish I had conducted myself better that day.

I don't know if it makes a difference whether you apply for a K1 or a K3. Neither require us to send in a background check but I'm sure both incur a background check at the USCIS level. On determining the best route for you in terms of K1 or K3 you might want to investigate the embassy your SO will have the interview at. Every situation is different. The reason I went for the K3 rather than the K1 was because my husband's embassy is not very likely to issue a K1 visa when the American sponsor has a co-sponsor. They actually claim that it is not allowed for a K1 applicant to present information for a co-sponsor although that's not true. There are so many variations that come into effect.

As for your record, we all have done things in life that we regret. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Good luck to you and your SO. If I were you, I would try to find out what kind of success rate there has been with people who have tarnished records sponsoring a loved one.

The IMBRA law has no provisions to deny your visa petition. It's just about making sure the beneficiary is fully informed about certain criminal history. If you want to skip the whole IMBRA hassle, just marry abroad and file for an immigrant visa (CR1) instead of any K non-immigrant visa.

My SO is from China and we might have an option of Hong Kong, normaly China's Consulate is in Guz.
I hope maybe some folks here might have a feel for if this will be a big problem for us. I understand that the Consulate and the VOs in Guz can be real hard asses. Maybe CR-1 would be a way to circumvent this problem if in fact it is a problem?
I have a notion that all would go fine until the intreview and then get blue slipped or worse.

First, it's not a problem. Second, the only way the interview can be in HK is if you marry in HK and go the K3 route. K1 and CR1 interviews would be in Guangzhou. No options there.

Yes you are correct about the K-1 and CR-1 I had forgotten this at the time I posted. I have been told that the K-3 through HK is a much better way to go and faster too. Would you agree with this?
Do you know of a case like mine with my kind of past? How did you come about this knowlegde not that I dought what you say but, this fact has really troubled the mind for a few weeks. I would like to put it to rest. And thanks to all that have replied.

The law went into effect nearly two years ago. I've had ample time to study it enough to know it's not about denying visas. It's about informing fiance(e)s of certain past criminal behavior. Period.